Interview king Abdullah (Turkish Policy Quarterly Magazine)

In an exclusive interview with TPQ, His Majesty King Abdullah II reflects on how Jordan is living the Arab Spring and how the historic changes of the past year are impacting regional dynamics. To Jordan, King Abdullah explains, the Arab Spring was a much-awaited opportunity to overcome internal resistance to change and embark on an unprecedented political reform process. On the regional scene, the on-going Syrian crisis, and its potential consequences for Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iraq, remain the biggest question mark. Jordan’s King, who recently hosted the first Palestinian-Israeli talks in more than 16 months, also warns that the window of opportunity for Mideast peace is quickly narrowing. https://www.turkishpolicy.com/article/680/interview-with-king-abdullah-ii/

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II* In an exclusive interview with TPQ, His Majesty King Abdullah II reflects on how Jordan is living the Arab Spring and how the historic changes of the past year are impacting regional dynamics. To Jordan, King Abdullah explains, the Arab Spring was a much-awaited opportunity to overcome internal resistance to change and embark on an unprecedented political reform process. On the regional scene, the on-going Syrian crisis, and its potential consequences for Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Iraq, remain the biggest question mark. Jordan’s King, who recently hosted the first Palestinian-Israeli talks in more than 16 months, also warns that the window of opportunity for Mideast peace is quickly narrowing.*This written interview, with His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, was conducted inFebruary 2012. 17

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VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4 W hat dangers do you see ahead in the region resulting from the Arab Spring and what is critical to this end in terms of European and American policies?I see a period of uncertainty and instability, which is a natural consequence of thehistoric changes that we have been witnessing and which will persist until newpolitical systems and institutions take root.In the short-term, some countries may be passing through an Arab winter beforetheir Arab spring blossoms into an Arab summer. History is full of such temporaryset-backs even in what are now the strongest and greatest democracies. Butwhat counts is that we have crossed the turning point, there’s no going back onthe legitimate aspiration of the people to have a larger say in the way their societiesare organized.In the long term, I’m confidentwe will all look back at theArab Spring and agree thatit was a good thing and thatit made life better for manyArabs. I trust we will eventuallysee the emergence of vibrantand engaged civil societies,more pluralism, democracy,justice, and equality in theArab world.The EU and the U.S. havea moral duty to assist andsupport nascent Arabdemocracies. What is requiredof Europe and the U.S. at this stage is to judge the new emerging governmentsby the same standards as they will be judged by their own voters: their abilityto deliver stability, security, democratic reforms, civil rights, jobs, and economicgrowth. So far, signs are encouraging that the political forces and governmentsemerging from the Arab Spring want a healthy relationship and open dialogue withthe West, and vice versa. The EU’s task-force for the Southern Mediterranean setup by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton last year and the U.S.’ Middle EastIncentive Fund recently proposed by President Barack Obama are very positivesteps. 18

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II TURKISH POLICY QUARTERLYWhere do you stand vis-à-vis the assumption that democracy in most ofyour neighboring countries would inevitably spell the end of secularism? Willindividual freedoms be restricted further before they improve?The Arab Spring is a call for dignity, justice, and freedom. It is a call for changedirected to all forces in the old regimes, whether in government or at the opposition.The groups that emerged from the first round of post-uprisings elections won onplatforms based on moderation, pluralism and respect of liberties. These are thevalues that people want to see upheld and translated into policies by those inpower, regardless of their political color. If truly accountable systems are set inplace, failure to uphold freedoms will mean that these political parties will not getre-elected next time around. Remember, there is always a “next election,” andcandidates will be judged on the basis of their commitment to individual freedomsand democratic values.You have recently met with Hamasleader Khalid Mishaal. The officialgoal announced of the meeting was “What is required of Europeto “turn a new leaf in the relationship and the U.S. at this stage isbetween Jordan and Hamas.” to judge the new emergingWhy, at this juncture, is Ammanre-opening ties with Hamas? Is governments by the sameJordan’s strategy towards Islamic standards as they willgroups changing in light of the Arabspring? be judged by their own voters: their ability to deliverJordan has always been at the forefront stability, security, democraticof efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and this entails that reforms, civil rights, jobs, andwe speak to all Palestinian factions, economic growth.”and Hamas is part of the Palestinianpolitical fabric. With Hamas specifically,we have long had regular contacts onthe ground, through the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza. Hamas will not reopenoffices in Jordan and there is no change in this policy.As for the late January meeting between myself, Khalid Mishaal and the CrownPrince of Qatar, it was in the framework of Jordanian support for peace efforts,Palestinian reconciliation, and the Palestinian National Authority’s efforts torealize the aspirations of the Palestinian people. I reiterated Jordan’s stance that www.turkishpolicy.com 19

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VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4negotiations, with the support of the international community, are the only way torestore Palestinian rights. So, no change in strategy there either.How have the Arab uprisings affected geopolitical balances in the regionand how have Turkey’s shifts played into these new fault-lines?Turkey has always been a key regional player, and started raising its regional profilewell before the Arab Spring, thanks to positive stands and timely policies. But it isstill early to predict the new geopolitical balances, as regional changes continueto unfold around us.The Arab uprisings have obviously increased Israel’s isolation, as was immediatelymade evident by the storming of the Israeli embassy in Cairo last year.Another new geopolitical factor is that Egypt is now looking inwards and morepreoccupied with its own transition. This means that others, including Jordan,have had to step up and step in, especially in terms of moving the peace processforward and advocating the rights of the Palestinian people and their legitimategoal of establishing a Palestinian state living side by side with a secure Israel. Astrong Egypt has always been a tremendous asset to Arab diplomacy and inter-Arab coordination, and we are confident it’s only a matter of time before Egyptreturns to play its traditional regional and international role.Syria is the biggest question mark at the moment. It is impossible to predict howthe Syria situation will evolve and fully and comprehensively assess its ramificationson Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraq and all other players and countries in the MiddleEast. The only certain thing is that the Syrian crisis is placing new burdens andresponsibilities on the neighbors, namely both Turkey and Jordan, starting withlooming prospects of a humanitarian emergency.How does Jordan try to position itself amidst the shifting regional dynamics?We try to be proactive rather than reactive, affect the direction of change in theinterest of peace and security as well as closer and wider regional cooperation,always keeping true to our long-established principle of non-interference in theinternal affairs of other countries.As I mentioned, the peace process remains front and center to us. The achievementof a permanent peace that restores all Palestinian legitimate rights is not onlya regional policy objective, but a paramount national interest of Jordan. On the 20

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II TURKISH POLICY QUARTERLYother hand, the window of opportunity for peace is quickly narrowing, and weare all – Palestinians, Israelis, and the international community – running out ofoptions. This is why we stepped up our efforts, and, earlier this year, managed tobring together, in Amman, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators for the first time in 16months. They were only exploratory talks but no conflict has ever been resolvedby not talking.You warned, almost a decade ago, about the Shi’a crescent – how worriedare you about Iran’s influence in the region? In Iraq? Could we see a largerscale sectarian conflict in the region? Given how polarized the region isbecoming – what sort of solution is there to avert the worst case scenario?Reviving the peace process is key to defusing any present or future standoff withIran. We need to shift the focus back on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.This unresolved conflict offers a rallying point for any entity wishing to gain theemotional support of over one billion Muslims around the world.Jordan, on our part, remains firm onits position that while Iran must showgenuine will to fulfill its international “…reform in Jordan hadobligations, any military action againstIran would aggravate instability in the been, until last year, ‘twoMiddle East, and have greatly negative steps forward, one steprepercussions for the U.S., Europe, backward’.”and Israel. The region does not needyet another crisis at this stage.As for Iraq, it is a crucial neighbor, and Jordan is obviously watching closely thesituation there after the U.S.’ withdrawal. Reconciliation and nation-building arekey for Iraq at this stage. We stand ready to support all dialogue and coalition-building efforts for the sake of the stability, security, economic development, andthe overall prosperity of the Iraqi people.Would you assess the Arab spring to have empowered the more progressivewing of your government and as such aided Jordan’s evolution?The Arab Spring has been a wonderful opportunity for Jordan.We had been talking about reform and had managed to implement very importanteconomic reforms over the past 12 years: from liberalization of key economic www.turkishpolicy.com 21

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VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4sectors, including telecom and IT, to free trade, becoming the first Arab countryto sign a free trade agreement with the U.S., in 2000. We signed a free tradeagreement with Turkey in 2009 and have similar agreements with many othercountries, in addition to our association agreement with the EU.All these changes were aimed at fostering the emergence of a secure, productive,and confident middle class that could be the cornerstone of Jordan’s developmentand the back-bone of political and economic life. The middle class can only thrivein a democracy, and it has always been clear to me, as well as to the manyJordanian men and women who have been championing change over the pastseveral years, that our wide-ranging and comprehensive economic reform had to be complemented by equally wide- ranging and equally comprehensive political reform.“I am optimistic about 2012,I am confident this will be But whenever it came to substantial political reform, resistance from withinJordan’s year of key reform. had always been fierce. Some called itWe have a clear roadmap – I myself called it – “old guard”, others spoke of entrenched interests, othersand an agreed end-goal: yet spoke of fear of change. This isparliamentary government.” why, as I myself have said, reform in Jordan had been, until last year, “two steps forward, one step backward.”Then, the Arab Spring came, and it allowed us to overcome this resistance tochange and forge ahead with accelerated, more comprehensive and ambitiousreform.Could you describe the democratic reforms carried out in your country in thepast year and their impact thus far? How do you see the remainder of 2012ideally unfolding in terms of Jordan’s elections and political reforms?I am optimistic about 2012, I am confident this will be Jordan’s year of key reform.We have a clear roadmap and an agreed end-goal: parliamentary government. Thetime-line is also set, the government and parliament have a daunting task aheadof them, with dozens of key political laws requiring drafting and promulgation,but they are on track so far. And, I will not tire to repeat, these changes are thebeginning, not the end. 22

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II TURKISH POLICY QUARTERLYWe started in early 2011 by setting up a National Dialogue Committee, which wasmandated with issuing recommendations on new elections and political partieslaws. Almost in parallel, a group of highly regarded Jordanian statesmen, as part ofa Royal Committee, drafted amendments to the Constitution. These amendmentswere discussed and promulgated by Parliament and ratified in September 2011.We are talking about 42 amendments out of 131 total articles, basically one thirdof the entire Constitution was amended. A constitutional court and an independentelections commission are being created; stronger human rights guarantees wereintroduced; limitations to the government’s ability to issue temporary laws and newcheck-and-balance mechanisms were set.These constitutional amendments were a first important milestone. Anothermilestone was the political parties draft law, which was submitted to Parliamentin January. One of the main pillars of our reform strategy is strengthening politicalparties, with the objective of developing partisan life and a mature and efficientparty system.The next major milestone will be the new elections law, expected to be submittedto parliament in March. This and other laws will pave the way for holding moretransparent, freer and fairer municipal and parliamentary elections. www.turkishpolicy.com 23

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VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4Is the impatience on the part of the people, about the slow pace of reforms,justified?I am impatient myself. But we must recognize that the government and parliamenthave a tough job – they need to fast-track reform while at the same time keeping theprocess inclusive. I fully appreciate that a truly inclusive, open and comprehensivenational reform effort takes time. But I also urge the government and parliament to move as fast as possible, especially on parliamentary elections, because“There is no contradiction we must maintain the momentum: We can not disappoint the people and riskwhatsoever between true the credibility of the reform process.Islam and development, We also stand an unprecedented opportunity to set a regional model ofmodernization, social justice, peaceful and consensual democraticdemocracy, respect for transformation, and we do not want tothe other, or other values miss this chance.that societies generally How has Jordan reconciled Islamconsidered secular uphold. with secularism and how has this affected its nation building efforts?The premise that Islam couldbe incompatible or may need Since its foundation, Jordan, as a“reconciling” with modern life country and as a people, has always embraced the true message of Islamis false.” – a message of peace, tolerance and respect. Precisely because of its Islamic heritage and identity, Jordanis a unique model of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, a mosaic of Arabs,Circassians and Chechens, Muslims and Christians, all enjoying the same rightsand freedoms.There is no contradiction whatsoever between true Islam and development,modernization, social justice, democracy, respect for the other, or other valuesthat societies generally considered secular uphold. The premise that Islam couldbe incompatible or may need “reconciling” with modern life is false.In 2004, I launched the Amman Message, with the main goal to clarify to themodern world the true nature of Islam and the nature of true Islam. For the first time 24

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II TURKISH POLICY QUARTERLYin history, consensus amongst over 500 of the Islamic world’s leading scholars,including scholars from Turkey, succeeded in declaring what Islam is and what it isnot, what actions represent it and what actions do not.Where are women in the Arab uprisings and in Jordan’s current and futurepublic and political life?I am grateful for this question. The role of women in the Arab Spring has yet tobe given the credit it deserves. I do not think the movement of Tahrir Square, andall other movements across the region, would have been as compelling and assuccessful had it not been for the active and courageous participation of women.No lasting positive change can ever be achieved unless women are an integralpart of it.Unfortunately, the number of Jordanian women in public and political life is stillbelow our aspirations. Several legal barriers to gender equality have been removed,and progress has been impressive over the past years. We doubled the quota forfemale deputies in the Lower House of Parliament ahead of the last elections, in2010. We have long had women serving as senators and cabinet ministers, andthe number of female judges is rising steadily. But the road ahead is still long. Iwill not belittle the obstacles, but I will not hide my confidence in the future either:fifty-five percent of Jordan’s secondary student population is female. This is onestatistic that bodes well for our country’s future.If Jordan can manage evolution (as opposed to revolution), this couldempower other leaders who aim to improve human rights and living standardsgradually. Do you think Jordan could be a model also for countries beyondthe Arab world?Allow me to quote my father, His Majesty the late King Hussein, and say that westrive to set an example – not one that others will necessarily follow, but one thatwill inspire them to build a better future within their own borders. No country canpretend to have a magic formula for others to follow, especially when it comesto democracy and governance. Each country, in the Arab world and beyond, willset its own course, at its own pace. Change must be home-grown in order to belasting. Having said that, of course, we hope that others will look at the Jordanstory and draw from it whatever lesson they find useful and applicable.If I was to describe all the efforts and components in Jordan’s reform processin one word, perhaps “dialogue” would be it. Our own accelerated, consensual, www.turkishpolicy.com 25

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VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4evolutionary reform process started with a National Dialogue Committee. Andnational dialogue to us is not a one-off committee. We want to ingrain it in ourpolitical life.Could Turkey and Jordan – acting more in tandem – have steereddevelopments in the region in the last year more effectively, and do you seea missed opportunity in this sense?I am pleased with the level of Turkish-Jordanian cooperation, we maintain closerelations and coordination.Uncertainty has been prevailing in the region over the past year. In such anunpredictable environment, Jordan continues to coordinate with all its neighborsand to act within the framework of Arab consensus. Has the deterioration of Turkey-Israel relations affected the likelihood for a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-“The Arab Spring is a call Palestinian question positively orfor dignity, justice, and negatively?freedom. It is a call for A few years back, President Clinton toldchange directed to all forces me that the Israelis will only negotiatein the old regimes, whether from a position of strength. And a position of strength is not where theyin government or at the are today, reportedly breaking ranksopposition.” with the U.S. on Iran, having damaged their relations with Turkey, and facing growing popular resentment andincreasing isolation from their Arab neighbors, including the very moderate ones.But the Israeli government has a choice. It can see, in a changing, region acompelling reason to seriously engage in meaningful peace negotiations to solveall final status issues and realize a two-state solution, or it can continue to dig itsheels in on the false pretext that regional change precludes peace negotiations,which could entail serious implications for Israel and its future place in a post-ArabSpring region. 26

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INTERVIEW WITH KING ABDULLAH II TURKISH POLICY QUARTERLYIn a previous interview, you referred to Jordan as “the last man standing”in terms of still having a relationship with Israel in the region. What isJordan’s regional and global role in reaching peace between Israel and thePalestinians? What pressures do you face within your country with regardsto relations with Israel?Solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieving the two-state solution is anational interest for Jordan, and it is in the best interest of the entire region andthe world. Jordan has never spared any efforts to achieve peace and will alwayscontinue to work for a just solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.I often say that the benefit of peace is peace. To us, peace always was and remainsa strategic choice. But popular frustration at Israeli policies is at a peak across theregion, and even traditionally moderate parties and groups are starting to questionwhether seeking or keeping peace with Israel makes sense any more.Without Middle East Peace, can the Arab Spring bring about regimes thatare accountable to their people on the basis of good governance?Peace is a pre-requisite for stability and development, and these two are essentialto democracy and good governance. Without peace, the region’s full potential willnot be realised. Our modern history is a testament to this fact. www.turkishpolicy.com 27